The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has led a pilot program to import the first commercial shipment of U.S. soybean meal to Uzbekistan. In partnership with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), USDA facilitated the first of three soybean meal shipments to Uzbekistan, totaling 150 metric tons and worth $114,657.
Soybean meal in animal feed provides key nutrients to dairy cattle and poultry, increasing the production and nutritional value of milk and eggs. Uzbekistan’s investment in soybean meal from the United States can help strengthen its agricultural sector. This initiative signals growing agricultural cooperation between the United States and Uzbekistan.
To commemorate this historic moment, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick welcomed the soybean meal shipment to Uzbekistan at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony took place on August 13 at Yangiyol Omuhta Yem facility, one of the main purchasers of U.S. soybean meal. Representatives of the soy trading industry and senior officials cut the ribbon alongside Ambassador Henick.
Industry partners in both Uzbekistan and the United States played key roles in the successful importation of soybean meal. Uzbekistani company Datacrop led the procurement, transportation, and import of the soymeal commissioned by local trading companies and poultry farms. UzAgroLogisticsCenters facilitated permits and customs procedures for the initiative. U.S. companies Hansen Mueller and DeLong Co. sold the soybeans.
The pilot program is only the first step in increasing cooperation between the United States and Uzbekistan in agricultural trade. MSR&PC has signed agreements with Uzbekistani companies Yangiyul Ohuhta Yem, Datacrop, and UzAgroLogisticsCenters to help facilitate the importation of an additional 22,000 metric tons of soybean meal, worth approximately $15 million. This mutually beneficial cooperation will bring high-quality U.S. soybean meal to Uzbekistan and increase Uzbekistan’s livestock production.